Together we can fight against violence against women in sex industry

Women working in the sex industry in the Czech Republic are a group who face violence from the police structures. Violence takes the form of both verbal and physical attacks, and degrading treatment, but also the culture and downplaying of the violent acts which these women are exposed to at work. Such behaviour is known as structural violence and is a significant barrier to accessing justice. The sex workers themselves find violence from the police to be a major problem. The project therefore aims to improve the status of women working in the sex industry, facing sexual violence caused by the police, and to allow them access to justice through an open expert discussion on this issue and providing assistance in cases where such violence occurs. The basic principle of the project is the participation of actors – they will be part of the team, they will take part in research and an internship which should be also attended by the police. Together, strategies preventing sexual violence will be formulated. The project consists of sexual violence research, transfer of experience from Norway and other participants who will be given the publication, and legal as well as social e-counselling shall be operated.